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First Female Chaplain Of The Marine Corps
(July 15, 2010) |
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Rear Adm. Margaret Kibben assumed command as the chaplain of the Marine Corps following a promotion ceremony aboard Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall on July 9. Kibben, the first female chaplain of the Marine Corps, was promoted by her father, retired Lt. Cmdr. Bill Grun, and her daughter, Lindsey Kibben, at the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel. Kibben was sworn in as the chaplain of the Marine Corps by Gen. James Amos, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps. |
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ARLINGTON, Va. (MCN - 7/12/2010) — Marines and sailors gathered at
the Memorial Chapel aboard Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall to witness
the first female chaplain of the Marine Corps assume her post July
9.
Rear Adm. Margaret Kibben took the oath of office from Gen. James
Amos, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, and assumed the
duties as the senior Navy chaplain serving with Marines.
Amos, who previously served as a naval aviator, told Kibben to enjoy
the opportunity to work with Marines.
“You get the best of both worlds,” he said. “You get to be a part of
each service's proud history, and you have a legion of friends who
wear each uniform.”
Kibben, who has more than 24 years of |
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service behind her, was also promoted to rear admiral lower half
during the ceremony. |
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“Admiral, wow,” she said. “I don't think I will ever get used to it,
but I hope I can grow into it.”
While Kibben struggled to grasp the reality of her accomplishment,
some of her colleagues couldn't think of anyone better to hold the
rank and title.
“This shouldn't be about the board picking a woman as chaplain of
the Marine Corps,” said Cmdr. Michael Gore, the deputy director of
Operations, Plans and Policy for the chief of Navy chaplains. “She
was chosen because she was the best candidate, and just so happens
to be a woman.”
While some sailors have to adjust to working with Marines, Navy
Capt. Greg Caiazzo, a fellow chaplain serving as the public affairs
officer for the chief of Navy chaplains, said he knows Kibben will
be able to handle the job.
“She understands the ethos (of the Marine Corps),” he said. “She is
going to be out there with the Marines, she wants to be out there
with the Marines, and she is concerned (about) Marines.”
Gore, who spoke during the ceremony, explained how even at a young
age, Kibben knew she was going to serve both God and country, and
that she shouldn't forget that part of her life.
“God has provided everything for me,” Kibben said. “It is up to me
to respond.”
Amos also reminded Kibben of the role she would play in the
two-front war America's Marines and sailors are currently fighting.
“There are a lot of Marines and sailors who answered their nation's
call to fight,” he said. “Those young Marines and (sailors) are the
ones you've been chosen to (serve).” | |
Article and photo By USMC LCpl. Benjamin Harris
Headquarters Marine Corps
Copyright 2010
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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